New Greek Radical Group Claims Central Athens Bombing

Europe - Greece
20 Dec 2005 - MIPT

A Greek militant group, Revolutionary Struggle, claimed responsibility Tuesday for a Dec. 12 bomb attack targeting the National Economy Ministry that slightly injured three people. The group, which also carried out a June 2 bomb attack on the Labor Ministry, sent a statement to a weekly satirical newspaper, The Pontiki, which said it will publish the proclamation in full on Thursday.

Police said they were still examining the authenticity of the statement.

The group's first major attack was against an Athens police station last year before the Olympic Games.

Police had suspected Revolutionary Struggle was behind last week's attack, in Athens' main Syntagma Square, which damaged several buildings. The bomb, fitted with a timer, was hidden on a motorcycle.

Greek authorities acknowledge they know little about the militant organization, but have speculated it may have evolved from one of many anarchist groups that carry out frequent arson attacks in the Greek capital.

Greece was plagued by deadly far-left terrorist groups for some 25 years after the mid-1970s, but cracked down on those organizations before the Athens Games.

Copyright AP 2005

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